MOSFETs with channels on nothing and methods for forming the same

ABSTRACT

A device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a channel region of a transistor over the semiconductor substrate. The channel region includes a semiconductor material. An air gap is disposed under and aligned to the channel region, with a bottom surface of the channel region exposed to the air gap. Insulation regions are disposed on opposite sides of the air gap, wherein a bottom surface of the channel region is higher than top surfaces of the insulation regions. A gate dielectric of the transistor is disposed on a top surface and sidewalls of the channel region. A gate electrode of the transistor is over the gate dielectric.

BACKGROUND

With the increasing down-scaling of integrated circuits, Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) became increasingly smaller, with increasingly shorter gates. This requires the junctions, particularly the junctions between lightly doped source/drain regions and pocket regions, to be shallower. However, due to the diffusion of the implanted impurities, it is very difficult to reduce the depth of the junction to about 50 Å for Short Channel Effect (SCE) control.

What makes the reduction of the junction depths more difficult is that for smaller MOSFETs, the pocket regions need to have higher impurity concentrations. However, with heavier pocket implantations, several adverse effects may be resulted. For example, although the SCE control and the Drain-Induced Barrier Lowering (DIBL) may be better, the carrier mobility of the carriers in the channel region is degraded, resulting in smaller device drive currents. To solve these problems, Silicon-On-Nothing (SON) MOSFETs have been proposed. SON MOSFETs have air-gaps under channel regions. With the air-gaps, the SCE of the SON MOSFETs is improved, and leakage currents can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the embodiments, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 through 8B are cross-sectional views, top views, and perspective views of intermediate stages in the manufacturing of a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) in accordance with some exemplary embodiments, wherein the MOSFET has a channel on nothing; and

FIGS. 9 through 13 illustrate cross-sectional views, top views, and perspective views of intermediate stages in the manufacturing of a MOSFET in accordance with some alternative exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The making and using of the embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the embodiments provide many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are illustrative, and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.

A Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) with a channel on nothing and the methods of forming the same are provided in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. The intermediate stages of forming the MOSFET are illustrated. The variations of the embodiments are discussed. Throughout the various views and illustrative embodiments, like reference numbers are used to designate like elements.

Referring to FIG. 1, substrate 20, which may be a portion of a semiconductor wafer, is provided. Substrate 20 may be a semiconductor substrate. Substrate 20 may be a bulk substrate, or may have a silicon-on-insulator structure. In some embodiments, substrate 20 is a silicon substrate, although it may also comprise silicon germanium (SiGe), silicon carbon (SiC), or the like. Insulation regions such as Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) regions 22 are formed in a top portion of substrate 20. STI regions 22 may be formed by recessing semiconductor substrate 20 to form openings, and then filling the openings with dielectric materials. STI regions 22 may include two neighboring regions having their sidewalls 22A facing each other, with a portion of substrate 20 between, and adjoining, the two neighboring STI regions 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, the portion of substrate 20 that is between two neighboring STI regions 22 is removed, forming opening 24. In some embodiments, the bottom of opening 24 is level with the bottoms of STI regions 22. In alternative embodiments, the bottom of opening 24 may be lower than or higher than the bottoms of STI regions 22.

Referring again to FIG. 3A, epitaxy region 26 is formed in opening 24, for example, using Selective Epitaxial Growth (SEG). Epitaxy region 26 may be formed of a semiconductor material, which may comprise a group IV material such as Si, Ge, C, or combinations thereof. In some exemplary embodiments, epitaxy region 26 is formed of substantially pure germanium, for example, with a germanium percentage greater than about 95 percent. In alternative embodiments, epitaxy region 26 comprises SiGe, which may be expressed as Si_(1-z)Ge_(z), wherein z is the atomic percentage of germanium in the silicon germanium, and z may be greater than 0, and may be equal to or less than 1. When z is equal to about 1, SiGe layer 26 is formed of substantially pure germanium. In some exemplary embodiments, z is between about 0.1 and about 1. In yet other embodiments, epitaxy region 26 comprises a III-V compound semiconductor material comprising, but is not limited to, GaAs, InP, GaN, InGaAs, InAlAs, GaSb, AlSb, AlAs, AlP, GaP, combinations thereof, and multi-layers thereof. Epitaxy region 26 may also be formed of a II-VI compound material. The top surface of epitaxy region 26 may be level with, higher than, or lower than, the top surface of STI regions 22. In some embodiments, epitaxy region 26 is grown to a level higher than the top surfaces of STI regions 22. A planarization such as a Chemical Mechanical Polish (CMP) is performed to level the top surface of epitaxy region 26 with the top surfaces of STI regions 22.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the structure shown in FIG. 3A, wherein the cross-sectional view in FIG. 3A is obtained from the plane crossing line 3A-3A in FIG. 3B. In some embodiments, epitaxy region 26 has a dog-bone shape including narrow portion 26A, and wide portions 26B connected to the opposite ends of narrow portion 26A. Width W1 of narrow portion 26A may be between about 5 nm and about 20 nm. Width W2 of wide portions 26B may be greater than about 20 nm, or greater than about 40 nm. One of ordinary skill in the art will realize, however, that the dimensions recited throughout the description are merely examples, and may be changed to different values. Although wide portions 26B are illustrated as having a rectangular shape, they may also have other shapes. For example, wide portions 26B may have trapezoid shapes, with the narrow sides of the trapezoids connected to narrow portion 26A.

Referring to FIG. 4, STI regions 22 are recessed. The recessing depth D1 may be greater than about 5 nm, for example. Accordingly, a portion of epitaxy region 26 protrudes above the top surfaces of the adjacent STI regions 22. Next, as shown in FIG. 5, epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 is grown on the top surface and sidewalls of epitaxy region 26. Epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 may be a substantially conformal layer, and hence the sidewall portions and the top portion have substantially the same depth. The epitaxy is selective, so that epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 is not grown on STI regions 22. Thickness T1 of epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 may be smaller than about 40 nm, and may be between about 5 nm and about 40 nm, for example. Epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 includes narrow portion 28A formed on the top surface and sidewalls of narrow portion 26A of epitaxy region 26. Furthermore, epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 includes wide portions 28B (refer to FIG. 7B) formed on the top surfaces and sidewalls of wide portions 26B of epitaxy region 26.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 5, epitaxy region 26 is formed to replace the portion of substrate 20, which portion is between opposite sidewalls of STI regions 22. In alternative embodiments, the steps shown in FIGS. 2 through 3 are skipped. Instead, the STI recessing step is performed on the structure shown in FIG. 1, and the resulting structure is similar to what is shown in FIG. 5, except that the illustrated epitaxy region 26 is not epitaxially grown, and instead, is a portion of the original substrate 20, which may be a silicon substrate, for example.

FIG. 6 illustrates the further recessing of STI regions 22, wherein recessing depth D2 may be between about 5 nm and about 40 nm. Portions of the sidewalls of epitaxy region 26 are thus exposed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7A, an etching is performed to etch the exposed portion of epitaxy region 26. The etchant is selected to attack epitaxy region 26, while the etching to epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 and STI regions 22 is minimal, if any. Accordingly, the materials of epitaxy region 26 and epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 are also selected to have a high etching selectivity, and an appropriate etchant may be selected correspondingly. In some exemplary embodiments, epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 is formed of silicon, and epitaxy region 26 is a formed of germanium. The corresponding etchant may be hydrogen fluoride (HCl). In alternative exemplary embodiments, epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 is formed of Si_(1-y)Ge_(y), and epitaxy region 26 is formed of Si_(1-x)Ge_(x), with x>y. The corresponding etchant may also be HCl. In yet alternative exemplary embodiments, epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 comprises InGaAs, and epitaxy region 26 comprises InP. The corresponding etchant may be HCl. In yet alternative exemplary embodiments, epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 comprises InP, and epitaxy region 26 comprises InGaAs. The corresponding etchant may be a combination of H₃PO₄ and H₂O₂. In yet alternative exemplary embodiments, epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 comprises GaSb, and epitaxy region 26 comprises InAs. The corresponding etchant may be a combination of citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) and H₂O₂. In yet alternative exemplary embodiments, epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 comprises InAs, and epitaxy region 26 comprises GaSb. The corresponding etchant may be NH₄OH.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, after the etching, the narrow portion 26A has at least its top portion removed, and hence narrow portion 28A of epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 is separated from the underlying epitaxy region 26 (or substrate 20 if epitaxy region 26 is fully removed) by air gap 30. It is observed that air gap 30 includes a portion higher than the top surfaces of STI regions 22, and a portion between STI regions 22.

FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of the structure shown in FIG. 7A, wherein the cross-sectional view in FIG. 7A is obtained from the plane crossing line 7A-7A in FIG. 7B. It is observed that wide portions 26B of epitaxy region 26 are recessed from the sidewalls. However, center portion 26C of wide portions 26B remain not etched. FIG. 7C illustrates a cross-sectional view of one of the center portions 26C, wherein the cross-sectional view is obtained from the plane crossing line 7C-7C in FIG. 7B. Accordingly, epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 is supported by the center portion 26C of epitaxy region 26, although narrow portion 28A of epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 is fully suspended above air gap 30.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, MOSFET 100 is formed, with narrow portion 28A of epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 forming the channel region of MOSFET 100. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a cross-sectional view and a top view, respectively, with the cross-sectional view in FIG. 8A obtained from the plane crossing line 8A-8A in FIG. 8B. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, MOSFET 100 includes gate dielectric 32, gate electrode 34, and gate spacers 36 on the sidewalls of gate electrode 34. Referring to FIG. 8B, gate dielectric 32 and gate electrode 34 may overlap narrow portions 28A, and may no overlap wide portions 28B (FIG. 8B), of epitaxy semiconductor layer 28. Referring to FIG. 8A, gate dielectric 32 is formed on the sidewalls and the top surface of channel region 28A. The material of gate dielectric 32 may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or high-k dielectric materials such as Hf-containing dielectrics or other kinds of high-k materials. Gate electrode 34 may be formed of polysilicon, metals, metal silicides, and/or the like.

Next, as also shown FIG. 8B, source and drain regions 38 are formed, wherein the formation process may include, for example, an implantation step, which is performed after the formation of gate spacers 36. In some embodiments, an additional epitaxy layer, which is also illustrated using reference numeral 38, may be grown on wide portions 28B of epitaxy semiconductor layer 28. The additional epitaxy layer also forms parts of the source and drain regions 38.

Referring to FIG. 8A again, narrow portion 28A of epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 forms the channel region of MOSFET 100. Since channel region 28A includes a top portion 28A1, and two edge portions 28A2 below and connected to the opposite sides of top portion 28A1, the respective MOSFET 100 is a Fin Field-Effect Transistor (FinFET).

FIGS. 9 through 13 illustrate cross-sectional views of intermediate stages in the formation of a MOSFET in accordance with alternative embodiments. Unless specified otherwise, the materials and the formation methods of the components in these embodiments are essentially the same as the like components, which are denoted by like reference numerals in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 8B. The details of the like components shown in FIGS. 9 through 13 may thus be found in the discussion of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 8B. The process is briefly discussed herein.

The initial steps of these embodiments are essentially the same as shown in FIG. 1. Next, referring to FIG. 9, epitaxy region 26 is formed. The top-view shape of epitaxy region 26 may be found in FIG. 11B. The top surface of epitaxy region 26 is level to the top surface of the STI regions 22, which are on the opposite sides of epitaxy region 26. The portion of substrate 20 between the opposite STI regions 22 is recessed slightly to form recess 40. Next, as shown in FIG. 10, epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 is formed in the recess through epitaxy. Thickness T2 of epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 may be between about 5 nm and about 40 nm, for example.

In alternative embodiments, the formation of epitaxy region 26 is skipped. Instead, a top portion of semiconductor substrate 20 between opposite sidewalls of STI regions 22 (please refer to FIG. 1) is recessed slightly to form recess 40 as in FIG. 9, and epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 is grown in recess 40 and from the exposed portion of substrate 20. The resulting structure is essentially the same as the structure shown in FIG. 10, except that epitaxy region 26 is instead a portion of original substrate 20.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, which are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view, respectively, STI regions 22 are recessed, so that epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 is higher than the resulting STI regions 22. The portions of the sidewalls of epitaxy region 26 are also exposed. As shown in FIG. 11B, epitaxy region 26 includes narrow portion 26A, and wide portions 26B connected to opposite ends of narrow portion 26A. Epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 may include narrow portion 28A, and wide portions 28B connected to the opposite ends of narrow portion 28A. Width W2 is greater than width W1.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, an etching is performed to remove the top portions of narrow portion 26A of epitaxy region 26. Accordingly, air gap 30 is formed under the narrow portion 28A of epitaxy semiconductor layer 28. As shown in FIG. 12B, wide portions 26B are recessed from their sidewalls, and center portions 26C of wide portions 26B are not etched. Accordingly, epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 is supported by center portions 26C, and the narrow portion 28A is suspended over air gap 30. The etchant for performing the etching is related to the materials of epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 and epitaxy region 26. Alternatively, if epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 is formed on substrate 20, with no epitaxy region 26 formed, the etchant is selected to attach epitaxy semiconductor layer 28 without attacking substrate 20. The exemplary materials and the respective etchants are discussed in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 8B.

FIG. 13 illustrates the formation of MOSFET 100, which includes gate dielectric 32 and gate electrode 34. A top view of the MOSFET 100 in FIG. 13 is essentially the same as shown in FIG. 8B. Similarly, source and drain regions 38 and gate spacers 36 are also formed. As shown in FIG. 13, in these embodiments, channel region 28A is planar, and hence the respective MOSFET 100 is a planar MOSFET.

It is observed that in the MOSFET 100 as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 13, channel region 28A have bottom surfaces higher than the top surface of the adjacent STI regions 22. Furthermore, the top portions of air gaps 30 are higher than the top surfaces of STI regions 22. As a result, the respective gate electrodes 34 may have portions lower than the top surfaces of air gaps 30. In FIG. 8A, air gap 30 includes a portion extending between the opposite edge-portions 28A2, and edges 30A of air gap 30 are substantially aligned to the respective edges 22A of STI regions 22. Furthermore, in FIGS. 8A and 13, edges 30B of air gap 30 are over and aligned to STI regions 22, and have a greater space from each other than edges 30A. Air gap 30 insulates channel region 28A from substrate 20, and hence the leakage current of MOSFET 100 is reduced, and the short channel effect is improved. In the resulting MOSFET 100, air gap 30 may be filled with air, or may be vacuumed.

In accordance with embodiments, a device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a channel region of a transistor over the semiconductor substrate. The channel region includes a semiconductor material. An air gap is disposed under and aligned to the channel region, with a bottom surface of the channel region exposed to the air gap. Insulation regions are disposed on opposite sides of the air gap, wherein a bottom surface of the channel region is higher than top surfaces of the insulation regions. A gate dielectric of the transistor is disposed on a top surface and sidewalls of the channel region. A gate electrode of the transistor is over the gate dielectric.

In accordance with other embodiments, a device includes a semiconductor substrate, and insulation regions at a top portion of semiconductor substrate. The insulation regions have two sidewalls facing each other, wherein the opposite sidewalls are spaced apart from each other by a space. A channel region formed of a semiconductor material is disposed over the semiconductor substrate and aligned to the space. An air gap is disposed underlying and aligned to the channel region, wherein the air gap includes edges substantially aligned to respective ones of the two sidewalls of the insulation regions. A gate dielectric is on a top surface and sidewalls of the channel region. A gate electrode is over the gate dielectric. The channel region, the gate dielectric, and the gate electrode form parts of a transistor.

In accordance with yet other embodiments, a method includes performing an epitaxy to grow a semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer has a top portion over a semiconductor region. The semiconductor region is between two insulation regions that are in a substrate. The insulation regions are recessed to expose portions of sidewalls of the semiconductor region. A portion of the semiconductor region is etched, wherein the etched portion of the semiconductor region is under and contacting a bottom surface of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer is substantially not etched, and the semiconductor layer is spaced apart from an underlying region by an air gap. The method further includes forming a gate dielectric over the semiconductor layer, and forming a gate electrode over the gate dielectric.

Although the embodiments and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, and composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. In addition, each claim constitutes a separate embodiment, and the combination of various claims and embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a channel region of a transistor over the semiconductor substrate, wherein the channel region comprises a semiconductor material; an air gap under and aligned to the channel region, with a bottom surface of the channel region exposed to the air gap; insulation regions on opposite sides of the air gap, wherein a bottom surface of the channel region is higher than top surfaces of the insulation regions; a gate dielectric of the transistor on a top surface and sidewalls of the channel region; and a gate electrode of the transistor over the gate dielectric.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the air gap extends into a space between the insulation regions.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the gate dielectric is in contact with opposite sidewalls of the channel region.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the channel region and the semiconductor substrate comprise different semiconductor materials.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the channel region comprises a top planar portion, and two edge portions below the top planar portion, wherein the two edge portions are connected to opposite sides of the top planar portion, and wherein sidewalls of the two edge portions are substantially perpendicular to a major top surface of the semiconductor substrate.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the channel region is planar, and wherein the channel region has a substantially planar top surface and a substantially planar bottom surface.
 7. The device of claim 1 further comprising: a first semiconductor region connected to an end of the channel region, wherein the channel region and the first semiconductor region are formed of a same semiconductor material; and a second semiconductor region underlying and in contact with the first semiconductor region, wherein edges of the second semiconductor region are recessed from respective edges of the first semiconductor region, and wherein the first and the second semiconductor regions are formed of different semiconductor materials.
 8. A device comprising: a semiconductor substrate; insulation regions at a top portion of semiconductor substrate, wherein the insulation regions comprise two sidewalls facing each other, and wherein the two sidewalls are spaced apart from each other by a space; a channel region comprising a semiconductor material over the semiconductor substrate and aligned to the space; an air gap underlying and aligned to the channel region, wherein the air gap comprises first edges substantially aligned to respective ones of the two sidewalls of the insulation regions; a gate dielectric on a top surface and sidewalls of the channel region; and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric, wherein the channel region, the gate dielectric, and the gate electrode form parts of a transistor, and wherein the air gap comprises a portion level with, and between, portions of the gate electrode that are on opposite sides of the air gap.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the air gap extends into the space, with upper portions of the two sidewalls of the insulation regions exposed to the air gap.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the channel region comprises a top planar portion, and two edge portions below the top planar portion, wherein the two edge portions are connected to opposite sides of the top planar portion, wherein each of the two edge portions comprises an inner edge facing, and level with, a portions of the air gap, and wherein the inner edge is a substantially straight edge substantially perpendicular to the major top surface of the semiconductor substrate.
 11. The device of claim 8, wherein each of the first edges and a respective one of the two sidewalls of the insulation regions are aligned to a same line that is perpendicular to a major top surface of the semiconductor substrate.
 12. The device of claim 8 further comprising: a first semiconductor region connected to an end of the channel region, wherein the channel region and the first semiconductor region are formed of a same semiconductor material; and a second semiconductor region underlying in contact with the first semiconductor region, wherein edges of the second semiconductor region are recessed from respective edges of the first semiconductor region, and wherein the first and the second semiconductor regions are formed of different semiconductor materials.
 13. The device of claim 8, wherein the air gap further comprises second edges overlapping the insulation regions, and wherein a first distance between the first edges is smaller than a second distance between the second edges.
 14. A device comprising: a semiconductor substrate; insulation regions extending into the semiconductor substrate; a first and a second epitaxy region spaced apart from each other, wherein the first and the second epitaxy regions extend from a level above top surfaces of the insulation regions into the insulation regions; a semiconductor layer above the top surfaces of the insulation regions, wherein opposite ends of the semiconductor layer is supported by the first and the second epitaxy regions, and wherein a center portion of the semiconductor layer is overlying an air gap, and wherein the air gap is between two portions of the insulation regions, and wherein opposite sidewalls of the two portions of the insulation regions are exposed to the air gap; a gate dielectric of a transistor on a top surface and sidewalls of the center portion of the semiconductor layer; and a gate electrode of the transistor over the gate dielectric.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein a bottom surface of the semiconductor layer is exposed to the air gap.
 16. The device of claim 14, wherein a portion of the semiconductor layer overlaps an entirety of the space between the opposite sidewalls of the two portions of the insulation regions.
 17. The device of claim 14, wherein the gate dielectric is in contact with opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor layer.
 18. The device of claim 14, wherein the semiconductor layer and the first and the second epitaxy regions comprise different semiconductor materials. 